MLB Rumors

The Dodgers say that Ted Lilly will eventually move back into the starting rotation, the Los Angeles Times reports.

That said, he'll be used out of the bullpen for at least the next few days.

The Diamondbacks gave outfielder Cody Ross a rest on Monday in Colorado. Ross did not start for only the second time in the last seven games for Arizona.

The outfielder is batting .287 on the year with a homer and 13 RBI. Ross is batting .313 in May, however, over 48 at-bats.

Athletics outfielder Josh Reddick will join his teammates on Friday in Houston, MLB.com reports Monday. Reddick will take batting practice at that time. 

If all goes well Reddick, who will avoid the disabled list with his wrist injury, will be sent out on an injury rehab assignment in the minors. 

The Red Sox examined catcher David Ross in Boston Monday and it was determined that he has been cleared to resume throwing and hitting off a tee, the Boston Herald reports.

Ross (concussion) may not even need a minor league rehab assignment. He could be activated by Thursday if that is the case.

Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper returned to action after a two-game absence on Monday in San Francisco. The Nationals have Harper batting third and starting in right field. 

Harper was dealing with a bruised left knee. He enters the game Monday batting .171 (6 for 35) with two home runs and four RBI in 12 May contests.

Yankees pitcher Ivan Nova was limited to around 60 pitches Monday as he went 3 2/3 innings in a simulated game, the Journal News reports.

Manager Joe Girardi said the Yankees intentionally kept him at a limited pitch count. They are not rushing him back.

"We'll talk about it," Girardi said. "Whatever it is we know he needs a couple days off."

Nova is on the 15-day disabled list with triceps inflammation. He suffered a setback when he was ready to return the last time and New York wants to play it safe.

Blue Jays pitcher prospect Marcus Stroman made his season debut Sunday for Double-A New Hampshire after serving a 50-game suspension for using performance-enhancing drugs, according to MLB.com. Stroman had a strong outing, picking up the win after tossing five scoreless innings.

The right-hander, who entered the year as the Blue Jays' fifth-best prospect, allowed four hits and one walk, while striking out six. 

"Obviously, we're happy he's back pitching," Blue Jays assistant general manager Andrew Tinnish said. "I know he is, too. He's such a hard worker and dedicated young man. We expect he'll hit the ground running. He's been doing a lot of good things; he's in the right frame of mind. He'd been champing at the bit, and we were excited to get him back. Now that it's here, he just has to keep working."

The Blue Jays are in the process of converting the 2012 first-round pick into a starter.

"He's shown the ability to throw four pitches," Tinnish said. "I think there's a lot of quality on all four of them. He's not a tall guy, as we all know, but he's athletic, and he has a quick arm. When he commands his fastball, which he's been doing, and keeps it down in the zone, it makes his secondary stuff that much better."

Yankees third baseman Kevin Youkilis was able to take batting practice and field ground balls Monday, the Journal News reports.

That said, Youkilis is almost certainly at least a week away from returning for New York manager Joe Girardi.

"Is it possible we see him on this road trip? Maybe," Girardi said. "But I would expect to see him maybe a little bit the following week if everything goes OK."

The Twins kept catcher Ryan Doumit out of the lineup for the second consecutive day Monday in Atlanta. Doumit is a little banged up following a collision at home plate Saturday, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Manager Ron Gardenhire said Doumit, who doesn't like to acknowledge pain, is a "little sore." He can be considered day-to-day for now.

Doumit has gone 13 for 51 (.255) in May thus far over 14 games with three homers and 10 RBI.

Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis went 2 for 4 Monday against the Mariners and extended his multi-hit streak to five games. Kipnis is batting .524 (11 for 21) with two home runs, three doubles and seven RBI in his last five games.

In 18 May games, Kipnis is batting .324 with two triples, six doubles, six home runs and 20 RBI.